Diaphragm pump



sept. zo, 1960 A. c. sAMPu-:TRO 2,953,096

DIAPHRAGM PUMP Filed Jan. l5, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Sept. 20, 1960 Filed Jan. 15, 195'? A. c. sAMPlE-rRo 2,953,096

DIAPHRAGM PUMP 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 l "i-MEMHM! United States Patent DIAPHRAGM PUMP Achilles C. Sampietro, Detroit, Mich., assignor to Thompson Ramo Wooldridge Inc., a corporation of hio Filed Jan. 1s, 1957, ser. No. 634,246

6 claims. (ci. 10s- 44) The present invention relates to improvements in uid operated pumps wherein the operating fluid is completely isolated from the pumped uid and to an improved combination of a diaphragm pump and reciprocating pump for supplying operating fluid to the diaphragm pump.

In greater detail, the present invention relates to a diaphragm pump employing a circular diaphragm clamped between a iirst pumping section of the casing and a second operating section with the diaphragm reinforced with metal parts so as to increase the eective displacement. The pumping section of the casing employs large valves having ports directly facing the metal reinforcement for the diaphragm to handle a considerable volume of iiuid with high efficiency. The operating side of the diaphragm carries a coaxial tubular member slidably projecting through a seal in the casing wall with the tubular member being hollow and having ports communicating with the inside of the casing to receive a resurgent pulsating operating iiuid to operate the diaphragm. The diaphragm is forced in its discharge stroke by pressurized operating uid and is returned by a coil compression spring mounted coaxial with the tubular member.

Resurgent pulsating operating fluid is supplied by an operating pump having a rotor with a radial bore carrying radially opposed pumping members forced in the pumping stroke toward the intermediate pumping chamber by an annular encircling cam. Operating iiuid is supplied to the pumping chamber through a non-return valve and the ilow of fluid is controlled by a shut-off valve which permits termination of operation of the pump combination.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved combination of a pump for supplying an operating fluid to drive a pump wherein the pumped iiuid is completely isolated from the operating fluid.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved diaphragm pump which has increased elfective displacement and minimum clearance space and which is designed to permit the use of large valves and ports permitting the pump to handle a considerable volume of fluid with high efliciency.

Another object of the invention is to provide a pump combination for supplying a pulsating operating iiuid to a fluid driven pump wherein the combination is mechanically balanced.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved pump for supplying operating fluid to drive a uid operated pump wherein the pumping operation can be terminated without stopping the mechanical operation of the operating pump. A

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved and more compact, efficient, and eliective fluid driven pump, and a pump for supplying operating uid.

Other objects and advantages will become more apparent in connection with the teaching of the principles and the features of the invention in the disclosure of the lCC preferred embodiment in the specication, claims and appended drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a sectional view taken through the pump combination showing the spherical pumping members at the end of their discharge stroke;

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken along line II-II of Figure l but with the spherical pumping members moved to their position at the end of the intake stroke; and

Figure 3 is a sectional View taken along line III-III of Figure 1.

As illustrated in the drawings, the pump unit for pumping a iiuid is illustrated as a diaphragm pump 4, which is driven by an operating uid and which completely isolates the operating uid from the pumped fluid.

The operating pump for providing the pulsating intermittent flow of pressurized operating uid is shown at 6. The operating fluid may be oil or the like which is supplied fromV an oil supply member 8, providing oil under a slight pressure to provide a continuous supply for the operating pump 6.

The diaphragm pump will be first described in detail and comprises a casing 10 having a pumping section 12 which is on the pumping side of the pump and an operating section 14, which is on the operating side of the pump. The casing sections are preferably circular and clamp between them a circular diaphragm 16. The diaphragm separates the pumping chamber 18 within the pumping section 12 of the casing from the operating chamber 20, within the operating section 14 of the casing. Thus the pumped iluid, which is handled on the pumping side 1S of the diaphragm is completely isolated from the operating fluid on the operating side 20 of the diaphragm.

The pumping section 12 of the casing is provided with a recess 21 which is centrally located and which leads to a smaller recess 22, which is also cent-rally located. The recesses 21 and 22 receive a projection 24 extending from the face of the diaphragm 16 on the pumping side.

This projection constitutes part of the reinforcement for the diaphragm.

The reinforcement consists of an annular plate 26 on the pumping side of the diaphragm, and on the opposite side of the diaphragm the plate 26 is backed by a similar lighter plate 28. These plates are drawn together to be clamped to the diaphragm by the threaded end 30 of the holding member 32. The holding member has an enlarged head 24, which projects into the recess 22 of the casing section 12. The head 24 substantially lls the recess 22 when the diaphragm is in the discharge position, as shown in Figure 1. The plate 26 also substantially fills the recess 21 when the diaphragm is in the discharge position, and there, therefore, is a minimum of clearance space when the diaphragm is in this discharge position.

The fluid pumped by the diaphragm pump 4 will be discharged from the recess 22 through a discharge port 36. This recess port is relatively large and is positioned directly opposite the head 24 of the member 32. The port 36 is provided with a non-return outlet valve 38, which is relatively large and is positioned directly opposite the mouth of the port 36.

The non-return valve is of a conventional type having a disc 40 with arcuate notches 42 arranged around its circular edge and the notches permit the ow of iiuid past the disc 40 when it is forced from its seat y44 surrounding the port 36. A coil compression spring 46 holds the Valve plate 40 in place. The compression spring 46 bottoms on a plate 48 suitably connected to the end of the casing section 12 and which is provided with a delivery conduit 50 adapted to be suitably connected to a delivery line for conductingthe pumped uid away from the diaphragm pump 4.

YAYThe intake of pumped iiuid into the diaphragm pump occurs when the diaphragm moves in its intake strokeV toward the operating side of the casing, which is to the left, as shownrin Figure l. "In this movement of the diaphragm, ypumped. Huid .flows in throughk the line 52 which extends throughk the plate 48. The intakeuid flows past the valve'disc 54 vwhich is forced oi its seat 56 againsttheurging ofthe coil compressionfspring 58. The coil compression spring bottoms on the shoulder 60 at the base of-the bored valve chamber in the casing section,.12,.whichfleads to the smaller, but relatively large, intake Vport. 62,. Thevalve disc 54 is similarto the discharge disc 5,6, and has arcuate lnotches -64 around its t peripheral edge to permit the ilow of intake uid.

slidablyy positioned between its inner face and the outer surface of a hollow hub 74, which forms the discharge conduit 76 for thefoperating iuid pump 6.

"The opposite end-78. of the tubular member is reduced Vtor provide a shoulder 80 against which seats the reinforcing plate A28. The 4reducedrend 78 projects through the reinforcing plate 28, through an opening in the center of the'diaphragml16 and through the opposite reinforcing plate v26and the diaphgram and plates are held in place by 'the base V31 of head 24V of the holding'member V32, Y

the threaded end-of which is-screwed intok the interior of the tube 66V, which carries mating female threads. The reduced end 78, therefore, provides a spacing element preventing the diaphragml from being clamped too tightly between Vthe plates 26 and'28. Y Y

The tubular member 66 is provided with lateral passageways 82 which communicate between the hollow in terior 84 of the tubular'member and the operating cham# ber 20, within the diaphragm pump casing 10. These passageways 82 permit the pulsations of operating fluid to'iowginto the chamber'20 to force Vthey diaphragm assembly in its discharge'stroke. The assembly is returned in its intake stroke by a coil compression spring 86. :The compression spring bottoms yagainst the area 88, which is part of the operating side 14 of the diaphragm pump Ycasing V and which is on the interior of the cylindrical integral housing '90 which rigidly joins the diaphragm pump casing 10-and the operating pump casing 92. The coil compression spring 86 operatively acts Yon the diaphragm by bearing against an annular plate 94 `which is held beneath a ange`96 on the end 70 of the tubular member 66. Y Y

YThe pump 6 for supplying the operating uid will next be described in detail. The pump casing 92 houses a rotor 98, which has a hub 100 and a shaft 102 journaled respectively by bearings 104 and 106 within the housing 92. YThe Yshaft 102 leadsy to a prime mover or a driving member-that turns the rotor 98 `at, thedesired speed to give the frequency of operation ofthe diaphragm ,pump that is desired. With the arrangementV illustratehthey frequency Vof movement of the diaphragm 16 is equal to twice the revolutions of the pumprotor'98, althoughthis may be 4varied as will be understood with the description of'thedetails ofthe pump 6. Y .Y

V'The pump rotor 98 contains a smooth radial bore 108 extending through the rotor. Within this radial'bore 108 of'um'form diameterY is carried a` pair of pumping mem- Y b ers, 110 and 112. Although not limitedy in construction,`thejpumping'm embers are preferably spherical 'in Yshapeand t snugly and slidably within the boreY 108. A pumping chamber 114 is defined between the-:pumping V move outwardly. on their intake stroke.

balls and 112 and the balls move together and apart to force uid from the pumping chamber in the discharge stroke, and to take in fluid in the intake stroke. The pumping members 110 and 112 are shown together at the end of the discharge stroke in Figure 1, and apart at the end of the intake stroke in Figure 2.

Within the pumping chamber is an insert which is slid into the bore 108 beforethe sphericalballs 110 and 112 are inserted. Thisinsert 115 is cylindrical in shape and has a cylindrical interior which isY tapered at the ends 12,3 andlZS to preventinterferencexwith the `balls 110 and112-as they-are pushedtogether. An intake passageway j134 extends out through one side of the-insert and a discharge passageway 119 extends out the other side to communicate with theconduit 76. The insert is held in place by a threaded pin 117 screwed into the side of the rotor 98.

To cause reciprocation of the pumping members 110 and 112 toward andaway from each other, they are surrounded by an annular vcam-,116which is supported by -being clamped between the sections of the pump housing 92. The annular cam 116 is shaped to have opposing surfaces 118 and 120 which force the pumping members 110 and 112 toward each other for 90 ofrotation of the rotor 98and thesesurfaces of thecam 116 widen toward the surfaces 121 and 122 which have Va greaterrdiameter between themV to Apermit the pumping members. 110 and 112 tor-move apartfor thernext 90 vofrotation of the rotor .98.

As, theV pumping members 110 and 112 move together, fluid is forced outthrough the discharge port 119 and the discharge conduit 76 to Voperate the diaphragm 16. A

pressure relief -valve124 is tapped into'the operating chamber 20 vin the casing 10 to relieve excessive pressures should they develop.

YThe pumping members are Vheld againstV the inner surface of theannular'cam116 by centrifugal force as the pump rotates and this Vcauses the pumping members to This intake stroke, however, is aided and abetted by the action of the spring 86, whichsurrounds and Vis coaxial with the tubular member V66. This spring forces the diaphragm in its intake stroke and ythereby forces the operating uid back toward the pumping chamber 114 to aid in forcing the ballsa-part. f

The pumping chamber V11,4 is kept lled with a supply of operating uid by, a fluid supply line ,126: This line leads from the oil supplyr and connects to the pumping chamber 1-14 through a passageway :128 through the kpump casing 92, through radialbore'd holes 130 in the hub 102, through a.V non-return valve chamber 132 and through a communicating intake port 134, leading into the pumping chamber 114. Y

The non-return valve includesra disc plate 136 which is normally urged against its seat 138 by a coil compression Spring 140 within the valve chamber'132. The disc plate has annular, notches 142 around` its peripheral edge to permit the' flow of oil into the pumping chamber 114 whenever Ythe disc is unseated.V This occurs only when a drop in pressure occurs within the pumping chamber due to a lack-of oil or operating uid. The pressure drop or suction to `drawin new oil is caused by the anged edge 29 of plate 28 sticking the inside of the diaphragm pump casing` section 14, whereupon the centrifugal force onthe balls 110`and 112.sucksin new oil if the chamber 114. is not keep iilled -by Voil returning from the diaphragm pump.

Smal1.amounts of pumping fluid will be `lost by leaking past the spherical pumping members'110 and'112 into the pump housing 92. This oil is drained, off through a port 144 leading to a drain 'line 148 which connectsY to a reservoir for the oil supply ,8. l Y

' The oil supply line 126 is provided with a shubotf valve 5. of oil from the pumping chamber into the pump casing 92 will not be replenished and, consequently, the diaphragm 16 will cease to operate. To again cause operation of the pump, the control valve 150 is merely opened providing a new supply of operating uid.

In operation of the pump combination, the rotor 98 of the operating fluid pump 6 is rotated and the pumping members 112 and 110 will be reciprocated by the action of the annular cam 116. The pumping chamber 114 between the pumping members 110 and 112 is kept lled with a supply of oil from the oil supply 8 as long 'as the shut-oli valve 150 is open.

When the pumping members 110 and 112 `are forced toward each other the pressurized operating fluid will ow through the delivery conduit 76, through the tubular member 66 and into the operating chamber 20 of the diaphragm pump via the lateral openings 82 in the tubular member 66. This will force the diaphragm 16 toward its discharge position and the pumped iluid will be forced out of the recess 22 in the section 12 of the ydiaphragm pump casing through the diaphragm pump discharge port 36. The large port 36 Vand large discharge valve 38 will accommodate rapid movement of the diaphragm and a large volume discharge of pumped iluicl.

The diaphragm is moved in a reverse direction for the intake of uid past the intake valve plate 54 `and through the intake port 62. The intake movement of the diaphragm is occasioned by action of the coil compression spring 86 which urges the tubular member 66 to slide to the left as is shown in Figure l. This intake movement of the diaphragm plus centrifugal force on the pumping members 110 and 112 causes the operating uid to low back into the pumping chamber 114 to be ready for a succeeding pulsation to move the diaphragm in its next discharge movement.

Thus, it will be seen that I have provided an improved pump combination which meets the objectives and advantages hereinbefore set forth. The diaphragm incorporates metal reinforcing plates to increase its eective displacement and has enlarged ports stationed in the recessed por- The pump for supplying the operating uid is simple in nature and reliable and well-adapted to use with the diaphragm pump. Together the combination provides an effective, eiicently operating pump which permits pumping uid without endangering the mixing of the operating fluid and the pumped fluid.

It is to be noted that the machine is mechanically balanced and that vibrations due to the oscillation of the diaphragm and its assembled parts are centrally located with respect to the pump rotor. Since the diaphragm is coaxial in location with respect to the pump axis, the mechanism will be well balanced and unwanted torque forces will not be established to cause unnecessary wear on the parts or to cause vibration or loosening of mountings in the pump assembly.

Operational control of the mechanism is simply applied without terminating the drive of the pump rotor, thereby making it unnecessary to provide a clutch mechanism. This is accomplished by merely closing the supply valve which terminates operation of the diaphragm pump through failure of the supply of operating uid.

I have, in the drawings and specication, presented a detailed disclosure of the preferred embodiment of my invention, but it is to beunderstood that I do not intend to limit the invention to the speciic form disclosed, but intend to cover all modifications, changes and alternative constructions and methods falling within the scope of the principles taught by my invention.

I claim as my invention:

l. In a iluid operated pumping assembly wherein the operating uid is completely isolated from the uid pumped, the combination comprising a diaphragm pump 6 to handle a pumped fluid, an operating pump 'to handle an operating fluid for operating the diaphragm pump, the diaphragm pump including a casing having an operating side and a pumping side, said casing having a recess in the interior and on the pumping side, a diaphragm extending across the interior of the casing and separating said sides, a projection on the diaphragm projecting into said recess to reduce the clearance when the diaphragm is in discharge position against the pumping side within the casing, and control valves for intake and discharge of the diaphragm pump 'located within said recess to be close to the diaphragm in discharge position, said operating pump including a rotor having a radial bore, pumping members slidably positioned in the bore, an operating fluid supply conduit leading into the pumping chamber between the pumping members, a non-return valve in the conduit permitting operating fluid to be supplied to the pumping chamber, a cam surrounding the pumping members to cause them to reciprocate, means to cause relative rotation between the cam and the pump rotor to cause an intermittent fluid surge to operate the diaphragm, and a discharge conduit communicating between the pumping space between the pumping members.

2. In a fluid operated pumping yassembly wherein the operating fluid is completely isolated from the uid pumped, the combination comprising a diaphragm pump to handle a pumped iluid, an operating pump to handle an operating fluid for operating the diaphragm pump, the diaphragm pump including a casing having an operating side and a pumping side, a diaphragm extending across the interior of the casing and separating said sides and movable against the operating side in intake position and against the pumping side in discharge position, and control valves for the intake and discharge of the diaphragm pump located on the pumping side of the casing, said operating pump including a rotor having a radial bore, pumping members slidably positioned in the bore, an operating iluid supply conduit leading into the pumping chamber between the pumping members, a non-return valve in the conduit permitting operating fluid to be supplied to the pumping chamber, a cam surrounding the pumping members to cause them to reciprocate, means to cause relative rotation between the cam and the pump rotor to cause an intermittent fluid surge to operate the diaphragm, a discharge conduit communicating between the pumping space between the pumping members, and means to return the diaphragm to intake position after being forced to discharge position by the operating iluid whereby the fluid urges the pumping members away from the pumping chamber to ll the chamber for a new delivery stroke.

3. In a fluid operated pumping assembly wherein the operating fluid is completely isolated from the uid pumped, the combination comprising a diaphragm pump to handle a pumped fluid, an operating pump to handle an operating fluid for operating the diaphragm pump, the diaphragm pum-p including a casing having an operating side and a pumping side, a diaphragm extending across the interior of the casing and separating said sides and movable against the operating side in intake position and against the operating side in discharge position, and control valves for the intake and discharge of the diaphragm pump located on the pumping side of the casing, said operating pump including a rotor having a radial bore, pumping members slidably positioned in the bore, an operating Huid supply conduit leading into the pumping chamber between the pumping members, a non-return valve in the conduit permitting operating fluid to be supplied to the pumping chamber, a cam surrounding the pumping members to cause them to reciprocate, means to cause relative rotation between the cam and the pump rotor to cause an intermittent uid surge to operate the diaphragm, a discharge conduit communicating between the pumping space between the pumping members, and a ow control valve inthe operating supply conduit whereby ,thersupply of Yoperating uid may be cut off to deprive the`pumping -members of uid for their discharge stroke toviterminate. operation ofthe diaphragmpumpwith continued relativerotatonofthe-operating pump rotor.

.4..Iniauidroperated pumping assemblytwherein the operating Vuid is ,t completely isolated l`from the uid pumped, the combination comprising-a. diaphragmfpump to handlea pumpedfluidan operating pump to handle ,anV operating uid for operating the, diaphragm pump, the diaphragmpumpincluding a casing having Yanoperating side land a ,pumping side, a diaphragm extending across Y the interior of the casing and separating said sides and movable 4against thresoperating side in intake position and against the pumping side in discharge position,-and vcon- Y, trolvalves forthe intake and `discharge ofthe diaphragm pump located-Von' thelpumping ,side of the casing, said .operatingpump including a rotor having a radial bore, pumpingvmemhers slidably positioned in the bore, an operating liuidY supply conduit leading into the pumping chamber between the pumping-members, anon-return valve'infthe conduit permitting operating y-iuid to be supplied tothe pumping chamber, a camV surrounding the pumping members to cause them Yto reciprocate, means to cause relative rotation between the cam and the pump rotor to cause an intermittent fluid surge to operate the diaphragm, a discharge conduit communicating Vbetween the, pumping lspace between the pumping members and said operating side of the diaphragmV pump casing, and a Y pressure relief valve in the discharge conduit to relieve excessdelivery pressure between the operating pump and diaphragmrpump. Y

5; In' a uid'operated Vpumping assembly wherein the operating uid is completely isolated from the juid pumped, ,the combination comprising a diaphragm pump to handle a pumped uid, a 'rotaryV pump to' handle an operating -uid for'operating the diaphragm pump, the t 6. A uid operated)pumping-assembly wherein `operatingiiuid is completelyl isolated from `a pumpediiuid comprising in combination-a diaphragmpumprior pumping a pumped fluid, an operating pump for pumping an operating uid for actuatingrthe diaphragm pump,fsaid`dia phragm pump including a casing with a chamber-therein having an operating side andrar pumping sidega diaphragm extending across the chamber ofthe lcasing and separating said operating side' andY pumping side and movable towardithe operating side in intake position and t0- ward the pumping side in discharge'l position, .and flow control'valves for Vthe intake and discharge of the diaphragm pump located to .communicate with the pumping side of thecasing, and said operating pump including .a rotor member having-a radially extendingbore therethrough, pumpingrmembers slidably positionedin said bore-to move together and apart in opposed relationship and force operating uidfrom said bore`V and-forming a pumping chamber between themoperating.means ,operatively connected toV said pumping-.members to cause them to reciprocate together andl apart in said bore,.and a pump discharge conduit communicating between said pumpingV chamber betweeny the `pumping members andthe Y operating side of said diaphragm whereby saiddiaphragm is-*positively moved toward pumping position by a movement, of said pumping members. toward each other and is permitted to move toward intake position" when said pumping members move apart.

Referencesv Cited inthe fileof this patent 'UNITED STATES'PATENTS 225,930 Hoster Mar. 30, 1880 514,608 Weatherhead Feb. 13, 1894 1,101,266 Franklin .Tune 23, 1914 1,788,886 Nutt Ian. 13,r 1931 1,991,235 True et a1 -Feb. 12, V1935 2,063,728 De Ville Dec.'8,-1936 2,229,038 Booth Ian. 21,1941 2,343,962 Dodson Mar. 14, 1944 2,798,440 YHall July 9, 1957 -Y 2,828,697 VRoosa Apr. 1, 1958 2,853,947 Evans Sept-30, 1958y FOREIGN PATENTS 223,603 Great Britain Oct.y 15, 1925 800,358 Germany Oct. .30,1950 

